Today’s road transfer was to Arequipa. With an 07:10 start and a short drive up the upper reaches of the Colca Canyon we penetrated the depths of this magnificent landscape at first light. It is the equivalent of two Grand Canyons inside one another, similar to a valley-in-valley formation.
At the Cruz del Condor observation point we witnessed several condors riding the thermals. These are the largest flying bird in the world and because of the early morning heating from the great depths of the canyon, the birds offered an amazing aerial display. The males are black with a white head, the females are brown.
We visited the nearby villages of Maca and Chivay where we witnessed daily life of the ordinary person in the market and surrounding streets.
Following lunch it was off to Arequipa crossing the highest road summit in Peru at 4627m and the long descent past the El Misti volcano to the massive and sprawling city of Arequipa.
